After finishing negotiations with Prime Minister of Japan Shinzō Abe, President of the RF Vladimir Putin claimed that the settlement of Kuril Islands dispute is in the interests of both Russia and Japan, reports
RIA«Novosti». The Russian leader added that it was time to “quit playing historical ping pong” dealing with the Kuril Islands.
“It is necessary to quit playing that historical ping pong over the territories and in the end realize that interests both of Russia and Japan require a final long-term settlement”, Vladimir Putin said.
He noted that the matter of signing a peaceful treatment between the countries has been discussed for 70 years and one cannot expect it will be settled quickly enough. “It would be naive of us to think that it can be settled immediately”, the Russian President said. He described the absence of peaceful treatment between Russia and Japan as an anachronism again and urged the Japanese authorities to deal with seeking a decision satisfying strategic interests of both sides. Besides, the decision should be approved both by Russian and Japanese people.
Shinzō Abe, in his turn, added that Russia-Japan relations start gradually moving towards the signing of a peaceful treatment.
According to his opinion, Russia and Japan should do their best to build their relations in the way neither of the sides would feel as a loser. Russian and Japanese residents will be able to develop their cooperation based of their common victory.
The Russian and Japanese leaders agreed on carrying out joint business activity on the Kuril Islands. In addition, Vladimir Putin suggested examining possibilities of border-free travel for Hokkaido and Sakhalin residents so that they could visit each other’s territories easily.
